Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park in Orlando, FL now offers a back stage tour with an up-close look at some of the park’s most intriguing wild animals.

The park’s new Wild Africa Trek, which debuted this week, is a separate ticket adventure designed to take small groups, up to 12 people, through the forests and behind the usual guest areas on a special 3-hour guided tour.

Tours cost are currently $129 in addition to regular theme park admission and are limited to guests 8 years and older. However, the trek is not for the light-hearted as it includes a tethered rope bridge crossing high above the pathway to the park’s safari vehicle crossing and the Safi River filled with crocodiles. Don’t worry, there’s also a safety net.

Guests will also trek across rugged terrain with inclines, obstacles and stairs. But the rewards include up close encounters with some of Animal Kingdom’s most wonderful creatures including hippos, lions, elephants, giraffes and gazelles.

The tour also includes a light snack during a rest stop at Boma where guests can sit and enjoy an amazing view of the African savannah and some of its wild creatures.

More details on the tour, visit www.disneyworld.com/disneyafricatrek or call for reservations at 407-939-8687.

You can also visit www.WestgateReservations.com for information on discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation packages.

The holiday season brings huge crowds to sunny Orlando and that means big crowds and long waits at the area’s major theme parks. Guests at Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks, as well as Universal Studios Resort and SeaWorld Orlando can all expect extended waits of an hour or longer for the most popular rides and attractions.

So for those who have already visited the main theme parks in the past or for those who would just prefer not spending their day in long queue lines, the holiday season is a perfect time to get out and explore some of Orlando’s other attractions. You might find that these other attractions are much easier on the budget, as well.

Gatorland is a 110-acre adventure that goes beyond the intriguing look at dozens of alligators and crocodiles. You’ll also find an aviary, a breeding marsh with an observation tower, a petting zoo, nature walk, the Gatorland Express train, and some fun-filled shows such as the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-Close Encounters Show. For a limited time, you can also see the park’s display of rare white alligators in the White Gator Swampl There’s also plenty of water fun on a warm day when kids of all ages can enjoy a squirtfest at the Gator Gully Splash Park. For more information, go to http://www.gatorland.com/.

Fun Spot Action Parks offer two central Florida locations where you can enjoy thrilling go carts, action-packed adventure rides and arcade games. For the truly adventurous and brave of heart, there’s also the Sky Coaster. You can experience the thrills of hang gliding and sky diving all in one ride of a lifetime. Fastened in steel cables, you’ll take a one-minute ride to the top of the 300-foot tower. Pull your ripcord and experience a 120-foot free fall straight down until the cables gently catch you and swing you out over the water below, reaching speeds of 85 mph. For details, visit their web site at http://www.funspot.tutengraphics.com/.

The Orlando Science Center is sure to inspire curiosity and exploration while encouraging learning in a fun atmosphere. Enjoy four floors of exhibits, giant screen movies, live programming and more. Find additional information at http://www.osc.org/.

The International Drive resort area is also home to myriad attractions, as well as dozens of shops and restaurants for the entire family. I-Drive offers mini golf, go-karts, science and adventure ranging from skateboarding and indoor skydiving to chartering an Orlando helicopter tour. Get details of all these attractions and more at http://www.internationaldriveorlando.com/.

For those who truly want a relaxing escape to Orlando, you can also just enjoy a special stay at a popular resort such as Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa. One of several Orlando area Westgate properties, Westgate Lakes offers spacious family suites and villas and enough entertainment that you never have to leave the resort. Enjoy an onsite restaurant, multiple swimming pools, tennis, volleyball, basketball, game room, fitness facility and more. Located on a scenic lakefront, you can choose from a variety of water sports or spend a leisurely day fishing or boating. Or simply kick back for some total relaxation with a massage or other full service spa treatment at the world class Serenity Spa by Westgate.

For additional information on these Orlando attractions and more, go to http://www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com/. For details on discount resort stays at Westgate, visit http://www.westgatereservations.com/.

Most come to vacation in Orlando for the fabulous theme parks and attractions. But if you’re looking for a truly relaxing getaway, Orlando could be the place for you, too.

The nation’s “best spa” results were recently announced based on an annual reader poll conducted by Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Of the top 100, more than 20% of the spas listed can be found in Florida, including five in the Orlando area. 

Of the top 100 resort spas, Orlando’s Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes ranked third in the nation and the state of Florida featured 21 of the top 100. The Orlando area was represented by five spas. Others included in the rankings were JW Marriott Orlando at Grande Lakes at No. 24, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa at No. 49, Gaylord Palms Resort at No. 59 and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at No. 70.

For more information about spas and discount Orlando vacation packages including Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, visit www.WestgateReservations.com. Or go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for information on discount Disney tickets, dinner shows and more.

September 25 — November 8, 2009

Your taste buds will be more than tempted at the 2009 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Disney’s annual event returns Sept. 25 thru Nov. 8, 2009, bringing with it many of the world’s tastiest regional foods and drinks. Of course, that’s only the beginning as guests will also enjoy rockin’ concerts, fabulous shopping, fun-filled seminars and demonstrations, taste-testing other special programs.

Tantalizing new additions to this year’s menus include the robust and exotic flavors of Rio de Janeiro and Bangkok as well as world-class performers like Richard Marx, Billy Ocean and Vanessa Carlton, who will all take the stage at the Festival for the very first time.

A convenient Disney Gift Card offers a fast, easy and secure way to carry your money on your wrist while enjoying the Festival. Just load or reload the card with any amount you desire, swipe — and you’re spared the trouble of getting out your credit card or cash any time you want to pay for food or merchandise at the Festival.

This year’s marketplace and promenade includes 25 international kiosks are serving up delicious, tapas-sized portions from countries on 6 continents.

Eat to the Beat! Concert Series
Musical entertainment includes the Eat to the Beat Concert Series which offers up an equally tempting variety of classic rock, soul, R&B, jazz and funk with artists ranging from Boyz II Men to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Book Your Disney Vacations with Westgate Reservations!

Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights Ripped from the Silver Screen

Book your Orlando Discount Vacation Package!

Step inside living cinematic terror at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights® as the most demented films of all time come to life. Torn from their upcoming films, The Wolfman and Saw join with Chucky to descend upon you, with a host of terrifying horrors close behind.

On select nights in September and October, Universal Studios Florida® theme park is transformed into the nation’s premier Halloween event. Venture into a nightmarish maze of horrid Haunted Houses, lurid Live Shows, and shocking Scare Zones while an army of mutants, monsters and maniacs roam the darkened studio streets.

Now in its 19th year, Halloween Horror Nights annually draws hundreds of thousands of horror fans from around the globe to this one-of-a-kind event. Tony Timpone, Editor of Fangoria Magazine, said, “After visiting scream parks all across the US for the last 20 years, I can easily say that Universal’s is the best in the business… Halloween Horror Nights is the ultimate Halloween experience.”

It’s the greatest exhibition of pure terror ever unleashed anywhere, and you can experience it all, LIVE, only at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

Select Nights
• September 25-26
• October 1-4, 8-11, 15-19, 21-25, 28-31

WARNING! EVENT MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 13. NO COSTUMES OR MASKS ALLOWED.

SAW – © 2004 Saw Productions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2009 Universal Studios. © 2009 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved

Disney Mickeys Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
 

Buy Two SeaWorld Tickets & Receive 2 Nights On Us! 

Event Dates:
Sept. 4, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25 & 29
Oct. 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29 & 31
Nov. 1, 2009

Pirates and princesses alike will delight to the after-hours “special ticket” event at Magic Kingdom Park better known as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Guests are invited to dress up in Halloween costumes and enjoy the Halloween fun from 7 pm til midnight on select evenings from Sept. 4 thru Nov. 1, 2009.

The annual Halloween festivities include the popular “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and a “Happy HalloWishes” fireworks spectacular. Of course, there’s also plenty of sweet trick-or-treating fun, not to mention the usual assortment of Disney characters – including Mickey and Minnie – all decked out in their Halloween costumes. And let’s not forget all the fun-filled Magic Kingdom rides and attractions that remain open all through the festivities.

Metallica was easily the best, most influential heavy metal band of the ’80s. Responsible for bringing the genre back to Earth, the bandmates looked and talked like they were from the street, shunning the usual rockstar games of metal musicians during the early ’80s. Metallica also expanded the limits of thrash, using speed and volume not for their own sake, but to enhance their intricately structured compositions. The release of 1983’s Kill ‘Em All marked the beginning of the legitimization of heavy metal’s underground, bringing new complexity and depth to thrash metal. With each album, the band’s playing and writing improved; James Hetfield developed a signature rhythm playing that matched his growl, while lead guitarist Kirk Hammett became one of the most copied guitarists in metal. Don’t miss your chance to see these heavy metal legends and enjoy the Florida sunshine! Click here for your discount Metallica tickets!

October 20-23, 2009
Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the ’70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry ice, smoke bombs, elaborate lighting, blood spitting, and fire breathing that captured the imaginations of thousands of kids. But Kiss’ music shouldn’t be dismissed — it was a commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, cloying melodies, and sweeping strings. It was a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late ’80s. Kiss was the brainchild of Gene Simmons (bass, vocals) and Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar, vocals). Don’t miss what could be your last chance to see Gene and Paul do it again as only KISS can! Click here for the best KISS ticket prices on the Internet!

If you are heading to Disney World for your next family vacation, you will need lodging and accommodations while staying in Orlando. Why not vacation at one of our 5 star resorts and treat your family to a luxury vacation experience by staying in one of our many Orlando hotel spacious two-, three- or four-bedroom Grand Villas, at Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, that sleep up to 16 people in an Orlando hotel near SeaWorld. All Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa villas include a large-screen TV with VCR in the living area and master bedroom, private terrace and washer/dryer. Some Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa villas offer fully equipped kitchens and/or whirlpools. Guests enjoy a scenic lakefront setting, numerous swimming pools, weekly tennis clinics, watersports, basketball and volleyball courts, and a full schedule of family activities.

The major benefit of staying in one of our Orlando hotel suites is the fact that you have more room for your family. Another plus to staying in one of our Orlando hotel suites is the fact that many of them offer additional features to make your stay exceptional and keep your children entertained.  In addition, just think how a kitchen will afford you the convenience and savings of your own snacks, drinks without paying the price of a stocked mini fridge.

If you are taking a trip to Disney World or the many other attractions in Orlando, consider the advantages of staying at one of our Orlando hotel suites instead of a standard room. The website www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com can offer you an Orlando vacation package with suite accommodations, discount Disney tickets, discount SeaWorld tickets and discount Universal tickets.

You can receive free dining when you book a full price Walt Disney World vacation package for check-ins most nights 8/16/09-10/3/09. Travel must be booked by June 21, 2009.

With this offer, you get the Magic Your Way Plus Dining package for the price of a regular Magic Your Way package. To qualify, you must purchase a regularly priced Magic Your Way package consisting of at least a 3-night stay at an official Walt Disney World resort hotel, PLUS at least a 1-day Magic Your Way Base Ticket. This deal saves a family of four (2 adults, two kids ages 3-9) $101.96 per day — the cost of adding the regular Dining Plan to a basic vacation package.

Optionally, you can upgrade to the Deluxe Dining Plan for just $32 per adult per night and $10 per child age 3-9 per night. (This represents the usual price difference between the regular Dining Plan and the Deluxe Dining Plan.) The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals a day at your choice of table service or counter service locations. You get an appetizer with your table service meals on the Deluxe Dining Plan. The Deluxe Dining Plan also includes two snacks per day and one refillable mug per person.

You can also add the “Wine & Dine” Plan to this package, at full price. None of the dining plans include gratuity.

If you are looking to spend even less, try our orlando theme park vacations!